Theory U as Archetype, Process, and Way of Being in Integral Transformative Development
Chapter 5 in Advances in Presencing, eds. Olen Gunnlaugson & William Brendel (Trifoss Business Press, 2019), pp. 79–104
Fitch and Lynam describe fourteen years of working with Theory U inside Pacific Integral's Generating Transformative Change program, and the redesign that came from taking it seriously as more than a process model. Their move is to hold Theory U interpenetratively: the left, bottom and right sides of the U are enacted sequentially over a nine-month arc and are always co-present and co-evolving in any moment. Held this way, Theory U informs and is informed by the other frameworks in the program — STAGES, integral theory, integral polarity practice, dialogue, shadow work — rather than sitting alongside them. The chapter documents the evolution of the design, the questions the U provoked, the practices that emerged, and the paradoxes of facilitating a process one is inescapably inside of.
This chapter describes an interpenetrative approach to the application of Theory U in an integral transformative development program that Pacific Integral has offered for the past 14 years. The term interpenetration indicates two aspects of a phenomena (such as an individual and a collective or the left and right side of the “U”) that are both distinct and paradoxically co-exist and are inseparable. This approach emerged as we redesigned our program with the intent of finding a deeper integration of the tools and frameworks we made use of.
Over time, we began to see Theory U as a fundamental archetype for transformation in all aspects of our work; an archetype that is both timeless and unfolding in time, and that interpenetrates with the other frameworks we use including integral theory, constructive development theory, integral polarity practice and others. The chapter describes the evolution and distinctions of this interpenetrative approach to Theory U application, as well as experiences, lessons learned, and essential practices.
Our application of Theory U includes the use of the framework as a directional path towards transformation, with the parts of the U process held as distinct and sequential, and an approach that recognizes that the left, bottom, and right side of the U are always present and co-evolving, such as the territories of Open Mind, Open Heart and Open Will. In an interpenetrative approach, these frameworks are recognized as both distinct and precise in their own perspectives, while also intertwined and pointing to analogous realities. In our experience, this has revealed new power and depth in Theory U as it can inform and be informed by other perspectives and offers a novelty to how it can be applied.
— From the chapter’s introduction.
Theory U; Presencing; Interpenetration; Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Will; Emergent design; Integral polarity practice; Shadow work; GTC curriculum
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